Most likely, I will. Blogging actually semi-ensures that something I write and publish has the potential to be read somewhere. I have a livejournal.com that I used to be fairly routine with, but eventually lost speed with. But I want to keep writing, because it certainly keeps me sharp and in tune with my style.
So, there were some ups and downs with the class. The best part would have to be gaining an insider's look on journalism as a business. It is a money making industry, and we should be aware of that. Knowing how certain things operate and why were incredibly helpful and interesting.
On the other hand, I didn't choose the class to know the business ends of journalism. I wanted to learn about newspaper design. Even webzine, magazine, any zine design would have been cool to learn about.
One improvement I would suggest is to have a particular aim with the course. It seems it jumps around too many topics to understand. I wasn't sure if this was mostly blogging - which could be done, essentially, as an online course - or business. If it were clearly defined when selecting the class, I think preparation and attitude towards the coursework would be different. Atleast then students would know what they were getting in.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Bigger, Stronger, Faster ... OK, just Web 2.0
While our generation grew up and with certain technological facets of the internet, Tim O'Reilly simply gave it a name. To him and his colleages, this vast progression of the online platform is a new frontier that's being discovered. To us, it's simply things we have grown accustomed to.
Web 2.0 refers to the internet as a platform, which allows users to utilize application in a browser alone. O'Reilly coined the term in a series of conferences outlining the second-generation of web-based services, and has since been widely adopted by many.
Although there are no physical and technological improvements made to the internet, Web 2.0 does suggest that there is an significant change. This is true, being that much of the world is slowly becoming a complete digitally sound society. Everything can be found on the internet, and Web 2.0 covers much of the basics that have risen over the past years. Podcasts, iTunes music store, and social networking sites such as MySpace and craigslist are all on the forefront of the progression. More websites are slowly turning towards Ajax and Flash to enhance user experience. Also, webloging is another part of the Web 2.0 catalog of awesome.
What this means to us is ... well, I suppose not a whole lot. On one hand, yes, it completely changes the way we're starting to approach things. It's been embedded into our heads that conventional methods such as going out to stores (vs. Amazon.com) or picking up the new Arcade Fire cd (vs. iTunes store) are the ways to go... thanks to mom and dad, of course. But more importantly, it shows us that all the money to be made will eventually be found online. With mass-communication efforts (video conferencing/email) relying predominataly on the internet, businesses will be adopting pure digital based operations in the near future. I sat in on a Open House forum at MTV yesterday, and a recruiter said that if we could dip into anything digital (Digital Media, television, production, etc.) , DO IT! That is wear the trend is headed.
On the flip side ... it may not affect us that whole much. This is because many of these Web 2.0 aspects have grown and developed with is. Our parents had to learn about computer technology, while we've been raised on it. Amazon and iTunes aren't taboo, but legitimate first-hand places to go for products and music. Many of the facets of Web 2.0 are our generations commonalities. So, it's not so much identifying it as a rising phenomenon and adjusting to it. Rather, it's a matter of fine tuning what we've already been familiar with, and see how to apply it to work.
Web 2.0 refers to the internet as a platform, which allows users to utilize application in a browser alone. O'Reilly coined the term in a series of conferences outlining the second-generation of web-based services, and has since been widely adopted by many.
Although there are no physical and technological improvements made to the internet, Web 2.0 does suggest that there is an significant change. This is true, being that much of the world is slowly becoming a complete digitally sound society. Everything can be found on the internet, and Web 2.0 covers much of the basics that have risen over the past years. Podcasts, iTunes music store, and social networking sites such as MySpace and craigslist are all on the forefront of the progression. More websites are slowly turning towards Ajax and Flash to enhance user experience. Also, webloging is another part of the Web 2.0 catalog of awesome.
What this means to us is ... well, I suppose not a whole lot. On one hand, yes, it completely changes the way we're starting to approach things. It's been embedded into our heads that conventional methods such as going out to stores (vs. Amazon.com) or picking up the new Arcade Fire cd (vs. iTunes store) are the ways to go... thanks to mom and dad, of course. But more importantly, it shows us that all the money to be made will eventually be found online. With mass-communication efforts (video conferencing/email) relying predominataly on the internet, businesses will be adopting pure digital based operations in the near future. I sat in on a Open House forum at MTV yesterday, and a recruiter said that if we could dip into anything digital (Digital Media, television, production, etc.) , DO IT! That is wear the trend is headed.
On the flip side ... it may not affect us that whole much. This is because many of these Web 2.0 aspects have grown and developed with is. Our parents had to learn about computer technology, while we've been raised on it. Amazon and iTunes aren't taboo, but legitimate first-hand places to go for products and music. Many of the facets of Web 2.0 are our generations commonalities. So, it's not so much identifying it as a rising phenomenon and adjusting to it. Rather, it's a matter of fine tuning what we've already been familiar with, and see how to apply it to work.
Monday, April 9, 2007
So I've been interning at URGE digital music at MTV since January. This is my second to last day here at good ole' 1515 Broadway in Times Square.
The number one question people ask : Have you seen any famous people?
The number one response: No, I haven't.
The number two response: But if I ever see Gideon Yago, I'm going to punch him right in the throat.
But, that ends today ... rather dispointingly.
I'm talking on my phone at my desk, where I can see over my cube the conference room where some interviews take place. I look up, and out walks out this guy that looks familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Then, it hits me:
This bucket of sunshine, Tim McElrath - lead singer of Rise Against, is who I saw.
I waited 15 weeks, and all I get is that? What a rip off!
The number one question people ask : Have you seen any famous people?
The number one response: No, I haven't.
The number two response: But if I ever see Gideon Yago, I'm going to punch him right in the throat.
But, that ends today ... rather dispointingly.
I'm talking on my phone at my desk, where I can see over my cube the conference room where some interviews take place. I look up, and out walks out this guy that looks familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Then, it hits me:
This bucket of sunshine, Tim McElrath - lead singer of Rise Against, is who I saw.
I waited 15 weeks, and all I get is that? What a rip off!
Whether the weather
Two websites that do two jobs of lying to us. The weather predications are never right, but that's an angry rant for another time.
Accuweather and Weather.com have similar tools for people to use to get the "weather". One similarity is the use of straight-to-mobile updates, where forecasts and changes are sent to a person's cell/pda/whathaveyou routinely. Also, they both have fields where users can enter in their city name or zip code to get direct local readings. National weather is also listed on the main sites as well. Both offer video feeds, incase reading becomes too tedious.
Now, the differences. Accuweather is definitely the more content-driven weather site. There is significantly more text, news, etc. on their site then weather.com. You can also view a more indepth map that gives cold front, snow, rain tracking, and can zoom in on any point of the map.
Weather.com, on the other hand, follows the KISS method, and it's open, spacious design makes it incredibly user friendly. The site also links up with CNN.com, yahoo, and (naturally) the Weather channel, transcending other facets of media as well.
Still, Lewis Black said it best: when you want to know what the weather's like, stick you're hand out a window, and when you want to know what the temperature is, drive by a bank.
Accuweather and Weather.com have similar tools for people to use to get the "weather". One similarity is the use of straight-to-mobile updates, where forecasts and changes are sent to a person's cell/pda/whathaveyou routinely. Also, they both have fields where users can enter in their city name or zip code to get direct local readings. National weather is also listed on the main sites as well. Both offer video feeds, incase reading becomes too tedious.
Now, the differences. Accuweather is definitely the more content-driven weather site. There is significantly more text, news, etc. on their site then weather.com. You can also view a more indepth map that gives cold front, snow, rain tracking, and can zoom in on any point of the map.
Weather.com, on the other hand, follows the KISS method, and it's open, spacious design makes it incredibly user friendly. The site also links up with CNN.com, yahoo, and (naturally) the Weather channel, transcending other facets of media as well.
Still, Lewis Black said it best: when you want to know what the weather's like, stick you're hand out a window, and when you want to know what the temperature is, drive by a bank.
Monday, April 2, 2007
A Long (But Brief in context) Piece on The Beatles
Main Piece:
Writers, rock-stars, cultural revolutionaries? These are just a few of the countless words that describe The Beatles, one of the most famous bands to grace the world of music and art. The lads from Liverpool, England are recognized as the best-selling act in America, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Rolling Stone named one of their albums as the Top 100 Greatest album of all time, amongst several of their earlier recordings. In a career that lasted less than ten years, The Beatles established, redefined, and changed music competely, and has impacted the world in ways far beyond their songs.
Formation and Hamburg
Pictured : Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and George Harrison - The Hamburg Era
Like many Merseyside and Liverpool bands of the time, Paul McCartney and John Lennon were inspired by '50s style skiffle and early pop-rock acts such as Little Richard and Buddy Holly. Initially, Lennon had his own group, called "The Quarrymen", playing local block parties and small venues. It was at a small concert at St. Peter's Church in 1957 where the two would meet. After McCartney impressed a skeptical Lennon by blazing through songs which not only he could not play, but also playing it backwards (Paul is a left-handed musician), the two joined forces. McCartney did some extra recruiting of his own, bringing in a significantly younger George Harrison, who had met while riding the bus to their shared Liverpool Institute, and Pete Best, a drummer he had seen play at a West Derby club called The Casbah.
Pete Best
In need of a bass player, Lennon brough on Stuart Sutclife, his best friend and roommate at the art school he was attending. Although not being on the same skill level as the others in the band, he was an important member of the group's early beginnings in Hamburg, Germany, where they had a opening slot at several clubs over the course of the year.
Spending several on-and-off years performing in Hamburg clubs, the Beatles decided to return to Liverpool to pursue further ambitions. Sutcliffe decided to stay behind, having met and married to Astrid Kirchherr, and would lead to McCartney's switch to bass. Upon arriving back to England, the Beatles went through many changes. They would meet Brian Epstein, a manager of local talent, at one of their lunchtime performances at The Cavern Club. He would later prove to be one of the most influential people on the Beatle's career. More importantly, it was Epstein who would dismiss Pete Best from the band (claiming he was not the ideal drummer for the group), and bring in the acclaimed best Merseyside drummer: Ringo Starr
Break-Out and Beatle Mania
Cover of Beatles' first album, "Please Please Me", as well a Best Of
With the roster set and a recording contract with EMI in place, the Beatles entered the studio with George Martin, recording their first album "Please Please Me", which featured their first number 1 hit of the same name. Initially
the album received little attention, until the groups first televised appearance on a Manchester program called "People and Places" in 1962. After this event, Beatlemania officially hit the UK, flooding radios with requests for the group's hits, such as "Love Me Do", and "From Me to You". Establishing much credibility in the UK, the boys set their sites on a large prize that many British bands sought to conquer: America. Running into problems releasing their homeland singles, Epstein arranged a recording deal with Capitol Records, in which the Beatles recorded their US break through hit, "I Want to Hold Your Hand". The Beatles would later fly into JFK International Airport to a massive crowd, who like the rest of the country had been teased through radio play of the single, as well as "She Loves You". The lads from Liverpool made their first US debut on television in 1964 on the Ed Sullivan Show, performing "All My Loving", "Till There Was You", and "She Loves You" and "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
Evolution and Endings
One of two albums that marked early changes in the Beatles style, Revovler (pictured) and Rubber Soul took the group out of their rooted skiffle brand music into alternate ventures
Riding the wave of popularity in both the UK and the US, the Beatles went on to film two feature movies, record three albums, and tour extensively. However, the most notable shift in musical stylings came from the release of "Rubber Soul" in '65, and "Revolver" in '66. In the video documentary "The Beatles Anthology", critics and friends of the band agreed that the two could have merged into one album, being in such close musical proximity of each other. The Beatles took a much different approach, incorporating many different instruments such as horns, strings, and a sitar, which Harrison had picked up after being introduced to one on the set of "Help!". The music was notably different, not withstanding to it's previous all-cheery tones. Afterwards, the Beatles would embark on their last tour, after comments John Lennon made to the media, and a rather disasterous tour abroad and in the US.
The Beatles at Candlestick Park, San Fransico, their last tour date of their careers
What proceeded was a redefinition of their musical endeavors. McCartney said in an interview that in order to grow as musicians and artists, they would need to return to the studio and practice and hone their crafts. The result:
Sgt. Peppers was a response to the Beach Boys album "Pet Sounds" and notably the first album that demonstrated the Beatles flair for experimental musicianship, and creativity for not only style but song writing. Following Sgt. Peppers came albums of similar natures, such as "Magical Mystery Tour" ,"White Album" and "Yellow Submarine". The Beatles continued making studio albums, but not touring. However, they continuted to do promotional video recordings for their fans worldwide, which outlined one of the early benefits of music videos. They also participated in the first international telecast in 1967, following in their spirituality and world peace sentiments:
Breakdowns amongst the bands, stemming from personal problems to creativity issues added to tensions circulating in the band. Lennon remarried Yoko Ono, an avant garde artist from New York, which significantly sent ripples through the inter-band relationship. The two were inseparable, and often absent from recording sessions all together. Lennon directed his musical endeavors towards activist issues, specifically dealing with war and peace. Tumultuously , the band were abled to record "Abbey Road", which often only featured part of the band recording at once. The band officially split up April 10th, 1970. Their last released album, "Let it Be", featured recordings done before Abbey Road at the Twickenham Studio sessions.
One of the pictures from the last Beatles photograph session
Sidebar : Beatles Greatest Songs
The music of the Beatles are unquestionably timeless. Many of today's top recording artists, as well as others, credit the Beatles as a main source of inspiration for their song writing. Each member of the band brought in their distinctive skills into one cohesive band:
Paul McCartney is a brilliant song-writer, crafting many of the Beatles more poppy tunes such as "All My Loving", "When I'm 64", and "We Can Work It Out". His style of playing brought out the dynamics and sound of the bass that warranted it's exposure as an important instrument of the band. Many of his songs written with simple intricacy, following clever rhyming patterns and imagery. But, as the video clips below will prove, even if a song is simple, it's true calibar is measured on how it moves people:
Ringo Starr is the backbone of the Beatles. A left-handed player who plays on a right-handed kit, he created new fills designed from off-hand entry strokes. His playing embodies emotion, and he's one of few drummers that you can feel that through his performance. Any others who need convincing should listen to "A Day in the Life", where his stellar drumming shines through. Contributing his own original songs to the Beatles, "Octopus' Garden" and "Matchbox" are classic songs that fans recognize as the drummer's own. However, drumming is not the only skill that Starr has brought to the Beatle's table:
Little really needs to be said about the contributions made by the genius of John Lennon. As one half of the Beatle's, and music's most important song writing duo, his style has always been incredibly passionate and original. His vividly detailed imagery in his lyrics are coupled fantastically through his dreamy, following voice. In the biography written by his first wife, Cynthia, she stated that Lennon had problems expressing himself outside of his music. Clearly, songs like "In My Life", "Help!", and "Across the Universe" give listeners a clear window look into his very soul. One of his most notable attributes as an artist is his ability to transcend the norms, and create masterful pieces of music that stand on a platform of their own:
George Harrison was the essential icing on the Beatles cake. His expert handle of the guitar gave Beatles songs such as "Let it Be", "And Your Bird Can Sing" and "Norweign Wood" (sitar) the very sound that makes it memorable. Although never allowed to shine through as a dominant song writer, Harrison's contributions are undeniably distinctive amongst Lennon/McCartney songs, and remain as fan favorites:
Links : Places to visit for the Beatles
Turn Me On Dead Man: Website the discusses a rumor/hoax/theory that Paul McCartney was killed in a car accident in the mid '60s, and how the band managed to continue touring and recording. A definate place for conspiracy theorists.
The Beatles Official Website: The starting point for everything Beatles. Gives facts and album information about the lads, including interviews, podcasts, and more.
The Beatles Internet Album: Fan created site that gives more in-depth information on albums and releases put out by the Beatles.
YouTube: Almost every essential Beatles performance, music video, and interview can be found by searching this site. Use it to search for each Beatles individual contribution as well.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
As Bacon from Lock Stock has said before ...
...If you can't see value here today you're not up here shopping, you're up here shoplifting.
Check this hot item out!
Fight the menaces of deep space with your very own Buzz Lightyear action figure! He talks, he walks (if you move his legs in a walking motion), and most of all, he's Buzz effin Lightyear. Why not? Buy him today!
Check this hot item out!
Fight the menaces of deep space with your very own Buzz Lightyear action figure! He talks, he walks (if you move his legs in a walking motion), and most of all, he's Buzz effin Lightyear. Why not? Buy him today!
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